Bhagavad Geeta 18:01—Moksha Sanyasa Yoga—The Path of Liberation by Renunciation

Bhagavad Geeta 18:01—Moksha Sanyasa Yoga—The Path of Liberation by Renunciation

अर्जुन उवाच |
सन्न्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् |
त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन || 1||

Arjuna uvācha

sannyāsasya mahā-bāho tattvam ichchhāmi veditum
tyāgasya cha hṛiṣhīkeśha pṛithak keśhi-niṣhūdana

Arjuna said: I desire to know severally, O mighty-armed, the truth of Sanyasa, O Hrishikesa, as also of Tyaga, O slayer of Keshi.

These truths have not been left unexplained; what have been enunciated already are recapitulated for clarification. The early part of this chapter therefore, deals with the harmonization of all the yogas. It is possible to present the same principle in different forms, in a different setting. It may even seem a new theme because of the variation of the context. Truth permits itself to be presented in a variety of patterns, and each pattern provides an appeal of its own. Each limb of an elephant leaves its special impress on the observer’s mind. This majestic animal again, creates a comprehensive impress on its beholder. The position of the Bhagavad Gita is very much like this. Each chapter in it is designated as a particular yoga. While the book as a whole is considered as Yoga Sastra, the eighteenth chapter is regarded as its synopsis.

Keshi was an Asura who assumed the form of a horse and encountered Sri Krishna, intent on swallowing Him up. But this Superhuman Being thrust His arm into the stomach of the demon, squeezed his bowels into a paste and did away with him. Because of this deed of valour He is extolled as Keshinishudana. His arms being the sinews of war, He is esteemed as Mahabahu or the mighty-armed. In the midst of these deeds of valour, He was ever the master of the Senses. He is therefore praised as Hrishikesa.

There is an implied purpose in Arjuna’s address Him as the lord of the senses, as the mighty armed and as the slayer of Keshi. The process of the Evolution of beings from the low to the high is all contained in these three significant epithets. Encountering and vanquishing of the demon is a cosmic function and so a necessity. Every creature in the universe has enemies to encounter, dangers to life and evils to conquer; and all of them are compelled to undergo training for their conquest. Acquisition of strength is the reward for living earthly life with a purpose. The strong ones thrive while the weaklings are exterminated. Man is to make himself strong physically and also to avail himself of all the weapons of offence and defence that can be got from Nature. This is the message contained in Sri Krishna being the slayer of Keshi and in His being the mighty-armed. Finally man has to conquer his senses and the mind. This is the greatest of all conquests. It is by subduing the senses and the mind that man evolves from the human to the divine. The Lord delivers this message, Himself being Hrishikesa— the lord of the senses. He embodies the perfection attainable to the aspirant.

Source: Srimad Bhagavad Geeta-Commentary by Swami Chidbhavananda